Media Releases
Aussies Tackle Terror Of A Different Kind - Stopping Child-Sex Tourists In Their Tracks
Aussies are leading the way to tackle and prevent the terror faced by child victims of sex tourism thanks to a ground-breaking initiative launched by Australias leading child protection agency, Child Wise.
Tragically, its estimated that over one million children are victims of commercial sexual exploitation around the world each year. This problem has been compounded by the growing ease of travel which has lured child-sex predators into less-developed countries where children are particularly vulnerable
But a new Australian program will stop child-sex tourists in their tracks. On the eve of the global launch in London, Child Wises ASEAN-wide advertising campaign is being heralded as world best-practice by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO).
In what is being praised as a significant Aussie achievement, Child Wise worked in partnership with Australias leading social marketing agency, Grey Worldwide, to develop a campaign which has received unanimous support from the Australian Government and all ten ASEAN countries.
Speaking at the WTOs Global Taskforce to Prevent Child-Sex Tourism, Child Wise Program Manager, Anita Dodds, announced that the regional advertising campaign will span all ten ASEAN countries and encourage responsible tourists to dob-in a child-sex tourist by reporting suspicious behaviour.
Australians regularly return from their travels in Asia with stories about situations that made them feel uncomfortable. They may have seen other travellers behaving inappropriately with local children at the beach or by the riverfront. They may have seen foreign men taking local children to their hotel room.
Were asking these Aussies to stop the terror faced by children. Each of us can turn child-sex tourists into ex-tourists by calling the police hotline numbers which have been set-up in every ASEAN country. Our message is clear. If the behaviour of other tourists makes you feel uncomfortable, dont turn away, turn them in to the authorities, announced Ms Dodds.
Australians are travelling more than ever before. The majority of us are responsible travellers. But we need to do something to stop the small minority of predators who cause devastating harm to children and give us a bad name. With over 10 million overseas departures by Australian citizens recorded in 2004, theres enormous potential for responsible Aussies to be part of the solution, she said.
The new campaign sees the culmination of almost a decade of partnership between Child Wise, the Australian Government and ASEAN countries to protect children. This partnership has resulted in improved law enforcement, heightened surveillance, and hefty jail terms for offenders.
Advertising including billboards, stickers and posters will begin appearing in hotels, airlines, internet cafes, travel agencies, taxis and tuk-tuks in prime tourist destinations across Asia next week. Now at every turn, predators should beware that if theyre travelling to have sex with children, everyone will be watching, said Ms Dodds.
For an interview or creative jpegs, please contact Bernadette McMenamin 0419 397 689.